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Planning a trip may have you wondering where to start. Follow these top Catalina travel tips and frequently asked questions to prepare for your stress-free Island vacation.

“I’ve never been to the Island. How do I get started?”
The Catalina Express website is filled with a wealth of knowledge about our service as well as the Island. There you will find ideas of what activities to do, where to eat and where to stay. There are even itineraries that help you plan your trip depending on your style.

“When is the best time of year to visit?”

Catalina Island is a quick and convenient getaway to visit throughout the year. During the spring, the hills are green and the weather is cool with a smaller crowd. Summer is a popular time due to warm beach weather and many events that take place during this time. Fall is our best kept secret with weather that feels like the Mediterranean and has less of a crowd. Winter is magical during the holiday seasons with twinkling lights throughout Avalon. You can’t go wrong visiting Catalina at any time of the year.

“Do I need to make a reservation?”
Reservations are not required, but are highly recommended to ensure availability on your desired sailing. During the summer months, boats sell out fairly quickly, so please plan accordingly.

Our schedule and fares are on our website to help you plan what times work best for your schedule. Our online system makes booking a reservation very easy. Or if you prefer to talk to an agent, you may contact our call center at 800.995.4386 for further assistance.

“Where and when do I go to check in?”
Catalina Express has three conveniently located terminals in Southern California. The San Pedro terminal is located at the end of the 110 freeway and is the closest terminal to LAX. The Long Beach terminal provides the most flexible schedule and is only located 10 minutes from our San Pedro location. For passengers traveling from San Diego or southern Orange County, the Dana Point location will be the most convenient. For directions and parking information, please visit our ports page on our website.

All passengers will receive a QR code in their confirmation email that will be used as your ticket to board. We recommend to arrive an hour before departure to allow time for parking and the boarding process.  Boarding will begin 30 minutes prior to departure. Passengers must have e-tickets ready at the time of boarding on a personal device or printed out ahead of time.

“What do I need to bring?”
If you have never traveled to the Island, you might wonder what are the essential items to pack. First and for most, bring a light jacket if you would like to sit outdoors on the ride over. Wearing comfortable soft-sole shoes is a good idea since you might do some walking around town.

A frequently asked question is “do I need a passport?” Catalina Island may seem like it’s a world away, but you are actually not leaving the state of California, so a passport is not needed. We do recommend traveling with a government issued photo ID.

“How much luggage am I allowed to bring on my trip?”
Each passenger is allowed two pieces of luggage, no larger than 23”x 23”x 37” and weighing no more than 50 lbs. each, to be stowed in the luggage compartment. In addition, each passenger may bring one carry-on that fits at the seat or in the overhead bin. For items like fishing poles, coolers or strollers that don’t follow the aforementioned rules, please visit our baggage guidelines page for more information.

Catalina Express wants our passengers to have a safe and fun time on Catalina Island and hope these tips will help ensure that happens. For more information or any additional questions, please visit our website at CatalinaExpress.com or give us a call at (310) 519-1212 and an agent will further assist you.

“Does the Island have hotel accommodations?”

Yes, Avalon and Two Harbors both have hotel accommodations for passengers looking to stay overnight! There are many hotels to choose from in Avalon that will fit your travel needs. Two Harbors has one hotel, the Banning House Lodge, for people who’d like a quiet escape.

Catalina Express partners with a number of hotels on Catalina Island offering special rates and packages. Boat and Hotel Packages include a round-trip ferry ride with your hotel stay. Each package also offers different amenities. For more information on Boat and Hotel Packages, please visit CatalinaPackage.com.